Car-coupling device



April 28, 1925. 1,535,974

J. c. WHITRIIDGE CAR COUPLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1925 Patented Apr.28, 1925.

UNIT stares areu'r FFICE.

JOHN CLIFFORD WHITRIDGE, F COLUMBUS, OI-IIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BUCKEYECOMIPAIVY, 0F COLUMBUS, OI-IIO.

CAR-GDUPLING- DEVICE.

Application filed November pand has special reference to devices "forconnecting an M. C. B. car coupler head with a coupler of the hook typeduring the trans ition period in which the M. C. B. automatic coupler isbeing substituted for the hook type coupler. The invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawing and will be hereinafter fullyset forth.

In the drawing, Figure is a plan view of the improved device in use;Figure 2 is a side view of the same: Figure 3 is a detail perspectiveview of the connecting block or plate removed from the coupler head.

The M. C. B. automatic coupler head 1 includes a knuckle 2 and a guardarm 3, all of the usual construction. The present invention provides aconnecting member consisting of a plate or bar l having a toe or lug 5at one end to engage in hole 6 in the guard arm 8 and having itsopposite end of proper thickness and form to fit snugly within the notch7 in the knuckle, the plate being thereby supported in operativeposition across the mouth of the coupler head. At a point adjacent theknuckle, an

opening 8 is formed vertically through the bar or plate 4c and a link 9is engaged with the bar through the said opening. A second link 10 iscarried by the link 9 and said second link isengaged through the eye 11of a compound link 12 which is adapted to be engaged with the hookcoupler 13. At its end engaged with the knuckle, the connecting memberis provided on its upper and lower sides with the vertically d sposedlugs 14 which bear against the inner or rear side of the knuckle so thatthe draft will be applied to the coupler head.

To prevent theft of the device, a chain 15 is provided, one end of saidchain being permanently secured at one end in any preferred manner tothe outer side of the guard 2-3, 1923. Serial No. 676,578.

arm and at its opposite end to the connecting bar. hen the use of theconnecting bar is not necessary, it is suspended loosely below thecoupler head by the chain 15 and the links 9, 10 and 12, the link beingengaged by a hook or convenient fixed projection upon the car. i

To assemble the transition device with the coupler head, the knuckle isswung to open position. The toe of the connecting bar is then engaged inthe recess or opening 6 in the guard arm and, while the bar is held inhorizontal position, the knuckle is closed by hand, whereupon the devicewill be ready "to take a full pulling load. l Vhen the (r;

vice is to be disconnected, it is disengaged from the hook coupling andthe knuckle then opened, the device dropping out of the way below thecoupler head.

It will be noted that no coupling pin is needed in the knuckle, thenumber of parts being reduced to that extent and it being possible todispense with the objectionable hole in the end of the knuckle. Byattaching the links to the connecting bar and properly proportioning theparts, the hook coupler may approach very close to the knuckle withoutany interference or jamining of the parts.

'l-laving fullydescribed my invention what I cla m as new and desire tosecure by Letters-Patent, is i 1. The combination of a coupler headincluding a slotted knuckle and a guard arm provided with a seat on itsinner side, a member engaged freely. at one end in the seat on the guardarm and at its opposite end in the slot of the knuckle, and linksattached to said bar between its ends and adapted to be cng ged with ahook coupler.

2. The combine. ion with a coupler head including a knuckle having aslot in its free end and a guard arm having an opening in its innerside, of a connecting bar provided at one end with a toe to engage inthe opening in the guard arm and having its opposite end seated in theslot in the knuckle, vertically disposed lugs on the bar bearing againstthe rear side of the knuckle, and links attached to the bar forengagement with a hook coupler.

The combination with a coupler head including a slotted knuckle and aguard arm having a recess, of a freely releasable con- In testimonywhereof, I have signed this speolfication in the presence of two sub- 10scribing Witnesses.

JOHN CLIFFORD XVHITRIDGE.

Htnesses VVILIJAM JAY BENNETT, Finn) WiNnoN Elsmys'rmN.

